A few years ago I was home alone on a Christmas afternoon. I glanced at my father's beloved complete set of The Works of Charles Dickens and pulled from the shelf "Christmas Stories." I began to read, "Marley was dead, to begin with."

Over the years I'd been to many different theatrical productions of "A Christmas Carol". I'd watched the classic 1951 black and white British film staring Alastair Sim as Scrooge countless times and suffered through the 1984 Hollywood remake. I'd seen many television cartoon versions including one featuring Charlie Brown and Snoopy. But within a few minutes of beginning my reading of the actual words that Dickens placed on paper I was mesmerized.

Nothing can compare with the original. No theatrical replica, no animated cartoon, no condensed "Cliff Note" version can begin to equal the experience of reading the original. I had known what a great story it is; I hadn't realized how great the original telling of it is.

So, for a very special treat, I urge all lovers of great writing to bundle themselves by a warm fire, pour a glass of favorite beverage and spend a few hours between the opening line, "Marley was dead, to begin with," and the last sentence, "And so, Tiny Tim observed, God bless Us, Every One!" It will make for a very Merry Christmas.

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